Officials work to contain fuel spill at Route 5 boat ramp in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON – A spill of 15 to 20 gallons of diesel fuel at the state boat ramp off Route 5 by the Oxbow sent state and local officials into action to prevent it from spreading down river, officials said.

A truck owned by Aatl Inc. of West Springfield ruptured a fuel tank when it apparently struck something on the boat ramp while towing a trailer out of the water, said Joseph Ferson of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Western Massachusetts Environmental Cleanup of West Springfield was called in to contain and clean the spill.

The spill was reported at about 3 p.m. The state DEP, environmental police and Easthampton and Northampton fire departments responded to the scene.

By late afternoon, oil boom had been placed in the water to contain the spill and the company was working to remove the fuel, he said.

The owner of the truck was issued a notice of responsibility for the cost of the cleanup, he said.